Volume 18 , Issue 7

1929 Desperado Had Posed As Quiet Citizen of Town

According to The Ada Weekly News (Ada, Oklahoma), dated 18 December 1929, Wednesday, page 5, we found this mention of "Desperado Had Posed As Quiet Citizen of Town." He killed policeman when held for questioning about accident, and bank loot discovered. He was believed by Chicago police implicated in the st. Valentine Massacre.

Found on Newspapers.com

St. Joseph, Mich., Dec. 16 (1929) -- Frederick dAne, in whose fashionable Lake Shore drive home $319,850 in securities stolen from the farmers and Merchants bank at Jefferson, Wisconsin, was found after he had shot and fatally wounded a traffic officer Saturday evening was declared by police to have been involved in the St. Valentine's day massacre in Chicago last February.

The assertion was made after local officers had examined pictures sent here by Chicago police, the pictures were described as those of a "master gangster" known under a dozen aliases for whom rewards totaling $41,000 have been posted. Among the aliases were Fred Burke, John Burke, Thomas Brook and also Camp, Kemp and Kemper.

Police said a woman under arrest as Dane's wife had confirmed the identification and added she had admitted the was not married to Dane. Seven Chicago gangsters were shot to death after being lined up against the wall of a garage in what came to be known as the "St. Valentine's Day massacre."

The bank loot was discovered because Dane did not want to risk an appearance at police headquarters for a traffic accident. He shot and fatally wounded Charles Skelley, motorcycle patrolman when the later sought to take him to headquarters. In getting away he wrecked his automobile in another collision and held up a motorist whom he compelled to drive him to a point near Stevenville. There another motorist was persuaded to take him to Coloma. At Coloma trace of dane was lost.

Police said Burke, under that name or one of the many aliases attributed to him, was wanted in numerous middle western cities on charges of bank robbery and murder.

A telegram to local officers from Chicago police headquarters advise police to use caution in approaching him. Rewards for his capture total $1,500.
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